Recommended research
The State of Digital Marketing in the Middle East and North Africa 2012
The State of Digital in MENA report, published by Econsultancy (and supported by ArabianBusiness.com), looks in detail at use of different traditional and online marketing channels in the Middle East and North Africa. The report also looks at how companies are using social media for marketing, how businesses are measuring marketing effectiveness and examines the barriers to digital marketing and e-commerce in the region.
Marketing Budgets 2013
The Marketing Budgets 2013 report, published by Econsultancy in association with Responsys, looks at how companies are budgeting for both digital and offline marketing channels this year. The report also looks at the ability to measure return on investment across these channels, and which types of marketing technology companies are most likely to be investing in.
14 September 2009 21:51pm
Hi there!
What degree's/Masters/Qualifications would you recommend to someone who has a Marketing degree but are not so familiar with digital marketing and have no professional experience in the area? I'm really interested to get a good and solid specialization in the digital marketing area, what would you recommend?
Thanks!
Head of Professional Development Services at Econsultancy
15 September 2009 09:41am
Thanks for your post.
Digitally focused qualifications are surprisingly hard to come by, but our MSc in Digital Marketing Communications might suit. The first of its kind in the UK (and now in it's third year) the course is specifically aimed at professionals looking to make the move to digital and assumes no prior knowledge. By combining top quality academic teaching and cutting edge industry know-how with flexible study options and delegates from a range of industries it will give you an excellent start in digital. We're planning a January 2010 intake and full details are available online.
If you'd prefer to get a taste of what's to offer (and a thorough introduction to the digital marketing landscape) before commiting to a qualification, our Fast Track course is a great place to start. We have plenty of dates available throughout the year in both London and Manchester, and you can count it towards the MSc programme should you decide that's the right route for you. Again, book online or email training@econsultancy.com for further information.
Unfortunately, our qualification programmes are not yet available outside the UK: it would be interesting to hear of any US/European based courses which offer the same level of award.
Vivien.
15 September 2009 17:42pm
First of all thanks for the prompt answer.
Indeed the degree’s on Digital Marketing are not so common, from my research’s I found some Master’s at Spain for instance, but the fact is that they don’t seem so focused/practical like yours. Thanks for the informations of your courses; I’ll think about that hypothesis.
By curiosity, what are the qualifications of many of you that are inside this industry? You developed your knowledgment mainly by practical experience or also by some degree’s/formation?
Regards!
Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
16 September 2009 10:12am
Hi Anon,
This year, I have just completed (AFAIK) the first BA in Digital Marketing Communications in the UK through Manchester Metropolitan University. They had some great teachers and the projects we worked on were really valuable and relative to todays industry.
As someone who started out with very little experience, I found the three years of the BA allowed for plenty of time to gain vital work experience. I also found that as quite a niche area there was an appreciation for someone studying Digital when agencies were taking on work experience students.
If you already have a degree already maybe the Masters is bettter for you but try and get a combination of experience and study. But I have heard that there are some PgDip's which are quite specific (i.e.: Digital Publishing, Internet Retailing) through e-Consultancy, or MMUBS.
Enjoy your studies! I know I did!
CEO at Make It Rain
22 September 2009 17:27pm
Digital marketing covers a variety of disciplines so people currently in this industry have a wide range of qualifications. Also many marketing courses usually have some kind of digital focus (my degree in marketing did way back in 1994!)
However, i've found there are a few qualifications which tend to produce great candidates for certain disciplines:
SEO/PPC/Tracking - Computer science/Mathematics/marketing graduates
Display/Social Media - Marketing/Creative/business graduates
It's great that specific qualifications are now available, and e-consultancy are doing a great job in driving this forward which will really help the industry as a whole.
You should also remember that a qualification is just the start, there's a mass of knowledge online and events that you should take advantage of which will also help you decide on which area of digital marketing you're most suited to.
Online Marketing at Lingo24
06 October 2009 23:38pm
Thanks for the great tips!